Amos 6:8
The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.
Original Language Analysis
נִשְׁבַּע֩
hath sworn
H7650
נִשְׁבַּע֩
hath sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
1 of 18
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
בְּנַפְשׁ֗וֹ
by himself
H5315
בְּנַפְשׁ֗וֹ
by himself
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
8 of 18
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִסְגַּרְתִּ֖י
therefore will I deliver up
H5462
וְהִסְגַּרְתִּ֖י
therefore will I deliver up
Strong's:
H5462
Word #:
16 of 18
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:14The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.Amos 4:2The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.Psalms 47:4He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.Amos 8:7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.Jeremiah 22:5But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.Amos 3:11Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.Psalms 106:40Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
Historical Context
Samaria's fall in 722 BC fulfilled this oath. The city God once blessed became the object of His judgment. This demonstrates covenant faithfulness: God keeps His word for blessing or curse, depending on Israel's obedience (Deuteronomy 28).
Questions for Reflection
- How can God's covenant people become objects of His abhorrence through persistent sin and pride?
- What 'excellency' or 'palaces'—church buildings, programs, reputations—might God hate if they're built on compromise?
- Why is God's oath by Himself both terrifying (guaranteeing judgment) and comforting (guaranteeing salvation through Christ)?
Analysis & Commentary
The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself (נִשְׁבַּע אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה בְּנַפְשׁוֹ, nishba Adonai YHWH b'nafsho, literally 'sworn by His soul/life')—when God swears by Himself, the oath is irrevocable (Hebrews 6:13-18). I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces (תֹּעֵב אָנֹכִי אֶת־גְּאוֹן יַעֲקֹב וְאַרְמְנֹתָיו שָׂנֵאתִי, toev anochi et-ge'on Ya'akov v'armenotav saneti)—the Hebrew intensifies with both 'abhor' (תָּעַב, ta'av) and 'hate' (שָׂנֵא, sane). גְּאוֹן (ge'on, 'pride, excellency') here means arrogant self-sufficiency, not legitimate glory. Therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein—total destruction.
This shocking statement—God abhors and hates His covenant people—demonstrates how sin transforms blessing into curse. Their 'excellency' (covenant status, prosperity) became pride; their palaces (symbols of success) became monuments to oppression. When people pervert God's gifts into idols, He turns against even His own people (Isaiah 1:14).